FENG SHUI FOR THE SOUL How to Create a Harmonious Environment That Will Nurture and Sustain You

by Denise Linn

This enlightening book goes much deeper than other books on feng shui. It's a comprehensive look at both centuries–old techniques and the latest research so you can create an environment where your soul is nurtured so you can be at home wherever – you are.This book has three Part One explains how to understand the deeper meanings and secret messages in your home, and also how clearing your clutter is like modern day alchemy...it can transform your life. Part Two presents little-known information about how to activate mystic forces of nature into your home to revitalize your physical and spiritual health. Part Three gives you an understanding of the Native American Medicine Wheel and shows you how to harness the energy from four cardinal directions.

Genres: Nonfiction, Spirituality, Self Help, New Age

Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Denise Linn’s personal journey began as a result of a near-death experience at age 17. Her life-changing experiences and remarkable recovery set her on a spiritual quest that led her to explore the healing traditions of many cultures, including those of her own Cherokee ancestors, the Aborigines in the Australian bush, and the Zulus in Bophuthatswana. She trained with a Hawaiian kahuna (shaman), and Reiki Master Hawayo Takata. She was also adopted into a New Zealand Maori tribe. In addition, Denise lived in a Zen Buddhist monastery for more than two years.
Denise is an internationally renowned teacher in the field of self-development. She’s the author of the bestseller Sacred Space and the award-winning Feng Shui for the Soul, and has written 16 books, which are available in 24 languages. Denise has appeared in numerous documentaries and television shows worldwide, gives seminars on six continents, and is the founder of the International Institute of Soul Coaching®, which offers professional certification programs in life coaching.

Reviews

[Plateresca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was afraid feng shui would turn out to be restrictive, telling me things like 'you will never earn more money if there are waste bins in your kitchen' or something like that, and I'm glad there's nothing of this kind in this book.
As far as I understand, this is not the most traditional approach to feng shui, but I enjoyed it because somehow it fits with what I already honour.
I have a plan of improvements that I'm going to implement throughout the year, based on the information in this book; so I should probably update this review later on, if I remember to do it, to see if those have worked :)

[Gwen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the detailed overview the author gives, however, I've found other feng shui books to be more helpful than this. I think this author's other book "Sacred Space" is better and recommend that one over this one.

[Niko Chronichles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful to actually understand the reasoning behind feng shui but could be a little more direct, we got a lot of stories and testimonies and I get those might work as examples but it was just too much

Good book though, and it explains how to actually connect with the energy.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had been aware of feng shui in a very basic way for years. The concept is a fascinating one. Although I am hardly qualified to actually explain it, I can attempt to summarize feng shui by saying that it is the employment of purposeful methods to assess, enhance, mitigate, and/or harness the natural forces acting upon us in our environments. Mostly it is used to design, arrange, and decorate interior spaces but it is not limited to them. Gardens and landscapes can be designed with principles of feng shui. Also feng shui is about understanding the forces of the whole world and considering their interaction and our place in this dynamic flow.

Because I am slowly trying to revitalize my older home and make it a place of positive energy, I picked up with interest Feng Shui for the Soul by Denise Linn. This book is a treasure. I've already made a couple minor additions to my home based on Linn's advice and could feel the immediate and positive uplift in energy.

This book covers a lot of ground as Linn shares her extensive research and experience as a student and practicioner of feng shui. She has studied philosophies and ancient traditions all over the world, including her own Native American roots. In her own practice she blends traditional Chinese feng shui principles with her Native American spirituality to create what she calls Medicine Wheel Feng Shui.

Feng Shui for the Soul is packed with scientific and philosophical research. It teaches that much of the wisdom of ancient people is not just superstitious mumbo-jumbo. Earlier humans were aware of their intimate connection with the Earth and her forces. They studied their environment and worked to position themselves in beneficial harmony with the forces of Earth, water, air, and fire.

Linn explains how the majority of modern people are disconnected from the Earth and this has very negative influences on their health and happiness. She notes that many people go days and even weeks without even touching the Earth. They wear shoes and walk on pavement and get in cars and go in buildings. They never physically touch the natural parts of the all encompassing environment that gives us life. As a person who frequently runs about barefoot, I was struck by this true observation. Just Friday morning I patted the huge oak tree by my mailbox and told the tree how good it looked. But I realize most people aren't like me. I guess this is why people have consistently remarked over the years how "down to Earth" I am. This comment always puzzled me because where the heck else would I be? But now I understand better.

Because it cannot be good to structure your life counter to the forces of the living cosmos, applying feng shui principles to your living and working environments is exceedingly beneficial. The advice offered so convincingly by Linn can be used by anyone anywhere. The author is keenly aware that not everyone lives in ideal circumstances, and she always provides advice for connecting with Nature even if you live in a high rise apartment.

Feng shui is a huge subject and this book overflows with concepts and advice. The biggest takeaway from the guide is that feng shui must be used in conjunction with your intuition. You must apply feng shui principles in a way that supports you. Everybody is different and a color or symbol that uplifts your mood might be neutral or even annoying to another person.

Linn's book provides numerous instructions for meditations meant to help you seek visions from your intuition or invite beneficial energies into your home or workplace.

This book also contains extensive information about the energies that radiate from the Earth. Flowing water creates a subtle electrical field. Water flowing underground can effect the people in the buildings above it. For example, if your bed is positioned in one of these electrical fields, you will have trouble sleeping. Fortunately, the problem can likely be fixed by moving the bed a few feet. Also the electromagnetic fields radiating throughout the world from the poles impact people. Our highly technological society with artificial electrical fields radiating all over the place, scramble us somewhat, but feng shui can sometimes mitigate the effect.

I put Feng Shui for the Soul by Denis Linn in the mind-blower category. Having just read it, I plan on going through it and taking notes so I can better integrate myself into the world. Reading a book that embraced the fact that we are part of a living Earth was so refreshing. Too many people are unhappily oblivious to this truth.

[Meg Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the Medicine Wheel approach that focused on the four elements (air, water, earth, fire) rather than the traditional Chinese five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water).

This book was much more clear than other feng shui books I have read, but I wish there was more advice on how to get your home into balance. What to add, what to move, how to balance the home, etc.

[Jess Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally a great reference

For a decade I’ve read this author's work and attended her classes. Now she has put all the space clearing techniques in one place. Please follow the author's advice and don’t try these techniques until you’ve been trained. Each technique is useful and I’ve seen many of them performed when going through in person training. I’ve seen the author teach them during her online classes. They are all powerful and work very well as long as the intention is in alignment with everyone’s highest.

[Undine Betere · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was magical in all ways. Since I started to read it - after every chapter I got up and arranged my home. It gave me kick in a butt and enough inspiration to change the space around me and my family. My home is a lot different since then.

[Walter T. Mara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of information

This book is well written and very extensively researched. It contains enormous mounts of information on all aspects of fengshui

[Lauren]

I love this book.

[Kari Olfert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has good energy

[Kim Castelli · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although an interesting and informative read, I found it hard to take seriously at times, especially when asked to talk to my furniture.

[Elkin Ortega · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tiene planteamientos interesantes que te brindan perspectivas nuevas para revisar aspectos de tu vida y tu nido.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started out strong but is flagging a bit in the middle. I'm just not interested in dowsing and, as much as I find mandalas and labyrinths appealing, I fail to see how that material relates to the topic of feng shui. In this regard, Linn herself is probably at fault. Perhaps she could have successfully made a strong connection between these disparate subject matters. She simply didn't.

That said, Linn is a very personal writer. Her style is almost conversational. I find myself looking forward to sitting down with her between the pages of this book. I would definitely read other books she's written.

And after further reading... the book picks up again in the end. She ties her own Native American shamanistic background to her schooling in Oriental feng shui in a way that makes sense and seems totally obvious once she explains it to you. In the final chapters, she presents a case study in which she employs many of the techniques and ideas she describes in earlier chapters (still no dowsing, mandalas, or labyrinths, though). I particularly enjoyed her description of the four elemental "clans" -- Air, Fire, Water, Earth -- and her recommendations for the home environments that are supportive of people's clan identities. Her analyses have the stamp of accuracy when you compare them to the people you've known and the places they've lived. She also offers some quite useful recommendations for balancing the energy of your life by making simple changes in your surroundings.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not quite what I was expecting from a feng shui book. Denise Linn is well-known and respected throughout the feng shui community; however, this book introduces many other ancient traditions besides feng shui. Think mandalas, labyrinths, fractals, geomancy, shamans... All of it is, indeed, very fascinating, but I needed to keep coming up for air. The information was overwhelming and not necessarily in sync with the feng shui foundation I have. I am hoping that what I read, and possibly learned, will come to me (if and when) the opportunity presents itself.

[Amber May · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was unlike any feng shui book that I have read. Included was some very enjoyable history about why things work the way that they do. I loved the explanation of the directions and the elements. I would suggest this book to everyone!

[Patti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Used to Own 2000-2007. I used it alot, but got more out of physical feng shui words.

[Lizelle DuPlessis · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting concept that could help a person get rid of clutter and open the channels toward receiving better and even good energy.

[Ann Kucera · Rating 5 out of 5]

In her book Feng Shui for the Soul, Denise Linn conveys both the scientific and the spiritual sides of feng shui. Learn to use your intuition in a way consistent with ancient energy principles.